Livingston Aldermen discussed looking at a potential water rate increase during a Monday night work session.
Finance Officer Joel Parks said the city faces significant expenditures for repairs in the city’s water and sewer system. Parks said consideration of a water rate increase is necessary.
“It may be determined that you don’t need one,” Parks said. “Again, I’m not in a position to say. I think it should definitely be looked at every couple of years anyway, just to see where you are, projected repairs, projected cash flow.”
Livingston Mayor Lori Elder Burnett said a water rate study is something that could be helpful alongside a water rate increase. Burnett said she is in talks with someone right now about a water rate study.
“You know, older system and continual upgrades, but we are moving forward on, I mean, we got some things in the works right now to decrease our leakage, so that’s helpful, but there’s still some things that need to be done ongoing, so we are looking at that.”
The Aldermen had planned a public hearing and a budget vote Monday. However, there were not enough Aldermen present for a quorum. Aldermen will look to finalize the city’s budget next Monday.
The aldermen did discuss pay raises for city employees. Burnett said the raises in the budget are not a percentage raise but are step raises.
“Most of these proposed are one step, or if they have a different job title, you know, moved up to a different position using the salary study,” Burnett said. “But in public service, we put a little extra in here to try to add for some years of service raise.”
Alderman Bill Linder said a five percent property tax increase would bring roughly $75,000, with salaries showing an estimated $91,300 increase. Linder asked where the remaining money would come from to cover the rest of the salaries. Parks said the difference could be covered by the water/gas fund.
“Some of those are allocated by the auditor’s request, and it does make sense that we have to allocate some of it to water and gas,” Parks said. “For example, my salary is allocated between water, gas, and general. One of three salaries that are done that way.”
Parks said the projected numbers for the budget are looking good. Parks said pushing the meeting to Monday does give some more time to have better projected numbers.
